3 tips for keeping natural stone countertops beautiful

(HIB) – The versatility and beauty of marble, granite, limestone, travertine and other natural stone countertops make them extremely popular in kitchens around the country these days. Unfortunately, as arguably the most heavily trafficked area of a home, kitchen countertops are exposed on a daily basis to all types of potential hazards including stains. Grease, wine, coffee, spaghetti sauce and other seemingly harmless foods and beverages can actually have lasting and costly consequences if the proper precautions aren’t taken to protect and care for your natural stone countertops, which are a significant investment to any kitchen.

Despite being a porous material that is susceptible to many everyday stain-causing elements including oils, soaps and dirt in addition to foodstuffs, homeowners can easily maintain the beauty of their natural stone kitchen countertop by being proactive and diligent in sealing and cleaning the surface regularly. According to Custom Building Products, using pH neutral care and maintenance products that are devoid of acids, etchers and other harmful chemicals like Aqua Mix sealers and cleaners will allow homeowners to safely preserve the finish of natural stone and avoid the expense of having a countertop professionally cleaned or replaced altogether.

* For long-term protection against undesirable stains without altering the appearance of a natural stone countertop, apply a no-sheen, natural look, water-based sealer like Sealer’s Choice Gold. These types of sealers are formulated with high-quality polymers that penetrate into the pours of the natural stone so stains can be cleaned off before causing permanent damage to the surface.

* For everyday care of natural stone countertops, apply a non-acid cleaner that also seals the surface during the process like Polished Granite Cleaner & Sealer. Strong enough to remove common household dirt without harming the surface, these mild cleaners protect natural stone countertops from more evasive stains with a thin layer of sealer.

* For neglected natural stone countertops with challenging stains, apply a heavy-duty cleaner and degreaser like Stone Deep Clean to effectively remove grease, soap scum, dirt and other undesirable grime from the surface. Concentrated cleaners of this nature should be mixed to the desired strength for a stain and rinsed thoroughly with clean water before drying on the countertop surface.

Sealers with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are recommended for protecting natural stone countertops in a safe and environmentally-friendly manner. For more information on cleaners, sealers, colorants and other tile grout care and maintenance products, visit Custom Building Products at www.custombuildingproducts.com and Facebook.